A heart attack occurs when anything prevents your heart from receiving the oxygen it needs in the form of blood flow.

Myocardial infarctions are another name for a heart attack (MI). The terms "myo," "cardial," and "infarction" all relate to the death of tissue brought on by a lack of blood flow. Your heart muscle may suffer long-lasting effects from this tissue death.

 

Symptoms 

From person to person, these differ. The abrupt, excruciating chest pain that most of us have heard about does not always signal the start of a heart attack. Some, particularly those that affect diabetics, have no symptoms at all.

 

Slowly, and with only minor pain and discomfort, they might start. They may occur while you're sleeping or working out. Depending on your age, gender, and medical problems, they may vary in severity.

• Pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness, or discomfort in the arm, chest, or area behind the breastbone
• Discomfort that spreads to your arm, back, jaw, or throat
• Feelings of suffocation, bloating, or fullness (it may feel like heartburn)
• Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or lightheadedness
• Extreme weariness, anxiety, or shortness of breath
• Rapid or irregular pulse
• Cold sweats

Women are more prone than men to experience extra conditions such as stomach, neck, shoulder, or upper back discomfort.

 

Some heart attacks cause no symptoms at all (a "silent" myocardial infarction). Patients with diabetes are more likely to experience this.

 

Causes

 

An obstruction in one of the blood veins that supply your heart is the primary cause of the vast majority of heart attacks. Plaque, a sticky substance that can accumulate on the inside of your arteries, is the primary cause of this (similar to how pouring grease down your kitchen sink can clog your home plumbing). Atherosclerosis is the term for such accumulation.

 

In your arteries, plaques are created by the accumulation of fat, calcium, proteins, and inflammatory cells. These plaque deposits have a hard exterior and a soft, mushy interior.

 

Although heart attacks without a blockage are conceivable, they are uncommon—only approximately 5% of all heart attacks occur this way.

 

Early treatment importance 

 

Aspirin, nitrates, and beta blockers are the primary thrombolytic or clot-busting medications used to treat heart attacks. Due to its ability to thin the blood and lessen the size of the clot obstructing one of the heart's blood channels, aspirin is currently administered to all patients who present to the hospital with symptoms of a suspected heart attack.

 

Heart attacks can be treated by doctors using a variety of specialized techniques. To treat constricted arteries during coronary angioplasty, a very small catheter is inserted via an artery (often from the groin area). A little balloon at the end of the catheter is expanded and closed in the constrained space to stretch it out. To help keep the artery open, doctors can also place a thin mesh tube known as a stent.

 

Doctors may need to perform a bypass procedure for clogged arteries. In a coronary artery bypass graft procedure, medical professionals use a healthy segment of an artery (often from the leg) to circumvent the obstruction.

 

Lifestyle changes 

 

• Stop smoking - Smoking significantly increases your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Consult your doctor about quitting smoking. Since secondhand smoke can also result in heart disease, you'll also be doing your friends and family a favour. Additionally, you can visit the website smokefree. go or call the 800-QUIT-NOW helpline.
• Healthy diet - Foods high in salt, sugar, trans fats, and saturated fat should be avoided or limited. Pick lean proteins like fish and beans as well as nutritious grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• Healthy body weight - You don't have to lose weight if you're obese or overweight to lower your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Your cholesterol numbers will improve, and your blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood sugar levels will all decrease if you lose 5% to 10% of your body weight.
• Limit alcohol - If you decide to consume alcohol, do so sparingly. That entails up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for males for healthy individuals.
• Exercise - Your risk of having a heart attack is reduced by moderate physical activity. Additionally, it can help you maintain a healthy weight while lowering your blood pressure and LDL or "bad" cholesterol and raising HDL or "good" cholesterol.
• Regular health checkups - Some of the major risk factors for a heart attack — high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes — don't cause early symptoms.